I personally left Europe as a turboprop FO, I could return now as a jet DEC if I wanted. That would mean I in fact leapfrog most of my 'senior' ex-colleagues...
Sure, you could return as a jet DEC to Ryanair, Norwegian, Jet2 or Wizz if you wanted. Staying in Europe you would have been there anyway.
You are confusing 'frustration, compromise, despair' with 'reality'
I forgot to mention denial.